What is trauma?

Trauma is part of life — most people have experienced the effects of trauma.

Trauma is a response to a disturbing, overwhelming event that can wreak havoc on our minds, bodies and emotional systems.

Trauma can be caused by a single acute event or repeated events, as in childhood developmental trauma (Complex PTSD).  

It's important to note that trauma is not defined by an event itself but rather by the resulting overwhelm in the nervous system. For this reason, trauma is personal, and each individual's healing journey is unique.

Signs and symptoms of trauma

An experience of trauma leaves someone feeling they can't shake the experience.

They may have emotional reactions, such as chronic stress, hypervigilance, avoidance, emotional numbness, and an inability to relax. Some may have angry outbursts. Symptoms may include difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, or addictive behaviors, such as over-eating or overconsumption of alcohol. And a result may be turbulent feelings of guilt or shame.

With childhood developmental trauma, there are often chronic maladaptive coping patterns in response to abuse, neglect, loss, illness, sibling issues, or other stressors. 

What is trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to help people who have experienced traumatic events process their thoughts, feelings, emotions and bodily sensations related to the event. It helps individuals learn how to regulate their nervous system to find relief from intrusive symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, intense anxiety, and emotional numbness. 

Trauma therapists often use somatic techniques that focus on helping clients become more aware of their body sensations to release physical tension that is associated with trauma. 

Experienced practitioners utilize evidence-based methods and tailor a treatment plan catering to a client's individual needs. These approaches include Somatic Experiencing, which is somatically based and works with nervous system regulation. 

By addressing unresolved trauma issues, individuals can feel empowered to lead fulfilling lives free from painful memories and emotional dysregulation.

The Polyvagal Theory

Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory has been a revolutionary breakthrough in trauma treatment, giving us an essential insight into healing from traumatic experiences. 

Before this theory, we only had limited knowledge of the autonomic nervous system's fight/ flight responses due to our focus on the sympathetic nervous system. 

However, by recognizing the role of the parasympathetic portion of the nervous system, we now understand that people can also exhibit a "freeze" response when faced with overwhelming fear or trauma. 

This newfound comprehension allows trauma therapists to create effective treatments for those struggling with trauma-related issues, giving them an invaluable understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved in managing traumatic stress.

Understanding the fight-flight-freeze response enables therapists to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to the client's specific needs. 

By utilizing the Polyvagal Theory, individuals can become more aware of their bodies and learn ways to self-regulate during times of distress, ultimately leading to greater resilience and healing.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing (SE), a holistic and naturalistic approach based on Porges' Polyvagal Theory. 

Drawing on observations of animals in the wild's reactions to danger, Levine uncovered the key to unlocking trauma stored in our bodies. 

Levine understood that trauma could happen to anyone when they experience a threat, feel overwhelmed, and cannot complete a needed fight, flight, or freeze response.

With this insight, he has enabled countless people to reclaim their lives from overwhelming experiences and regain emotional balance. 

SE is highly effective, scientifically proven, and offers hope for those suffering from the effects of trauma.

How does trauma therapy work?

Trauma therapy focuses on our nervous system's fight, flight, and freeze responses triggered when we experience threats. 

Just like animals in the wild, we have an instinct to either fight, flee or freeze depending on the perceived strength and speed of the aggressor and how much energy we can muster up. Our innate survival system is a potent mechanism that helps us survive and protects us from danger. 

Unfortunately, humans sometimes become stuck in this state and do not discharge the accumulated survival energy from their nervous systems. 

Trauma therapy offers us a way to understand and move through these experiences safely, so we don't remain trapped in them.

Summary

Trauma is a part of life— most people have suffered the effects of trauma. Trauma can happen to anyone when they experience a threat, feel overwhelmed, and cannot complete the needed fight, flight, or freeze response.

The healing journey is personal and unique to each individual.

Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing (SE), a holistic and naturalistic approach based on Porges' Polyvagal Theory. SE is scientifically proven and offers hope for those suffering from the effects of trauma.

Take the next step

Trauma can heal. Contact me today to discuss options for your trauma therapy.